I'd like to thank Darksidefan5 for her awesome beta skills. Enjoy this new chapter, I wrote it after completing a successful move.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars, but Disney and George Lucas do. I just like to play in their sandbox.
Maneuvering the cargo ship further into the atmosphere of the Hapian home world, Poe lets out a soft whistle of amazement. Past the clouds he watches as the lush forest of green trees come into view. Then, at the horizon, the gleam of Hapian buildings appear before their ship.
"Amazing. Everything is so shiny and… tall." Rey blushes as she realizes she said that aloud. Poe doesn't say anything, but there is an amused twinkle in his eyes. That just makes her cheeks redden further as this she's positive he's realized just how much of an ignorant desert dweller she is.
Now Poe isn't impressed by the Hapian architecture. On his home world of Yavin IV, they had buildings made out of rock too, but not like the elaborate rows of columns, the cream marbled roads, and the metallic repairs to the buildings that Hapes has. Poe prefers the architectural simplicity that can be found on his home world.
As he broods over the differences between his home world and Hapes, Poe lands the cargo ship down on the awaiting platform, next to the Outrider which had already landed only a few moments ago. Glancing out the main window, he notices several figures waiting at the far side of the platform. Four heavily armored guards stand in formation around a tall and slender, red-haired woman.
"That must be our welcome party." Poe concludes as he begins the shutdown procedure for the engines.
Hearing a quick gasp of breath from Rey, Poe swivels his chair to look at the young woman next to him. He watches as she practically stops breathing and her face turns pale. Concerned, Poe he reaches out and gently places a hand on her bare arm.
"You all right? Rey? Talk to me, Rey." Poe squeezes Rey's arm. He hopes that Kylo Ren hasn't decided to contact her now. It would be bad for their mission, and for their possible ally. "Is it the connection with…"
"No." Rey replies quickly, keeping her gaze towards the welcome party outside.
"No? Then what is it Rey?"
"Someone out there," Rey begins as she turns her head to look at Poe. "is a force user. Out there, among those who are to greet us."
"How? How can you tell?"
"They reached out to me. I… I don't know how to describe it."
"Do they mean us any harm?" Poe asks, silently wondering where else he could hide a blaster on his person, not including the one hiding inside of his boots.
"I don't know. I don't think so. They're not forcing themselves in, like Kylo or Snoke. More like they are curious about who is aboard the ship." Rey answers with eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
"That still doesn't fill me with confidence." Poe remarks. He slowly rises up from his chair and turns towards BB-8. "Hey, buddy. Would you mind lowering the ramp for us?"
The little astromech droid beeps happily before setting out to complete the task.
Poe then turns to look at Rey, who is still seated in her chair and facing the controls of the ship. He allows a smile to appear on his face before reaching out to turn Rey's chair out to face him. Poe offers out a hand to Rey.
"We better make an appearance then." Rey scowls at his hand. "It'll be easier if I escort you out versus you stumbling out and falling flat on your face in front of our hosts. And don't tell me that you won't, Rey. You took a dive into your seat when you entered earlier."
"These shoes are ridiculously tall. And impractical." Rey mumbles out in annoyance before taking hold of Poe's offered hand. She allows him to help her stand up, though she is not thrilled at needing the help. It's when Poe tucks her hand into the crook of his elbow and covers it with his other hand that causes Rey to physically flinch.
Noticing her flinch and her rigid stride, Poe says, "Relax, Rey. I won't let you nose dive into the marble floors."
On their fifth step towards the door, Poe keeps his promise and keeps Rey upright as she stumbles.
"See, I told you so." Poe chuckles out as he helps Rey steady herself again. "Never doubt that I will be there to catch you."
"Not all the time." Rey retorts in a moment of self-awkwardness at wearing the ridiculous heels, as she makes sure that her dress hasn't had a malfunction from her stumble.
The pair continue on walking, stopping only when Rey about to stumble. It takes them a couple of minutes to reach the ramp, where BB-8 is waiting for them. The little droid lets out several trills and beeps while taking in the sight of his master and their friend.
"Rey's heels are trying to kill her," Poe teases. Earning himself a nasty glare from Rey.
"Poe is only helping me, little one. It doesn't mean anything." Rey affirms, trying to help the droid understand that Poe is just truly helping her.
The droid lets out a sound and slowly follows the pair as they descend down the ramp.
At the bottom, Dash Rendar is waiting for them with a stupid grin on his face. Then the old smuggler's eyes shift between the pair before landing solely on Rey, and Dash's eyes begin to slowly take in Rey's outfit.
"Well don't you look delectable." Dash states to Rey as his eyes betray him about finding the young woman attractive.
Poe, however, has the sudden urge to punch something, preferably the smuggler. For the sake of the mission, he settles for imagining it instead.
"Dash Rendar, leave the young woman alone. Do you not see that she is well protected by the male?" An unfamiliar, red-haired female calls out.
Her skin-tight green dress moves gracefully as she walks, heels clicking with every powerful stride as she approaches them. Even her red hair, pulled pack into multiple thick braids, shifts majestically. At her waist is a thick black belt that that carries several wicked looking blades.
Dash turns to address the woman. "Old habits die hard, princess."
"And some not soon enough." The young woman states before looking over at Poe and Rey. "I am Princess Tenel Ka. On behalf of the Hapes Consortium, I welcome you both."
"Princess." Rey and Poe respond back, with Rey taking her cue from Poe to bow her head in respect.
"Princess, if I may introduce you. This is Poe Dameron, commander of the Resistance. Leia Organa-Solo's second in command. And on his arm, is Rey of Jakku. She is Skywalker's last Jedi-in-training." Dash states as he gestures to each one in turn.
Tenel Ka's green eyes focus on Rey and moves to stand right in front of her. "I felt Master Skywalker become one with the force. Tell me, how did he die? Was it Ben who killed him?"
Hearing Kylo Ren's real name come out of the woman's mouth takes Rey by surprise.
"You know Ben?" Rey asks, completely ignoring Tenel Ka's questions.
"I did once." the older woman replies. She gives no indication that she is going to reveal anything further. "Though now I think he has taken to calling himself 'Kylo Ren' has he not?"
"Yes." Rey answers firmly while keeping her guard up against the princess's probing. "I'd like it if you'd stop doing that."
"Why?"
"It makes me uncomfortable."
Tenel Ka's presence in the force backs away from Rey's, and the woman begins to smile. "You are indeed strong with the force, but you lack discipline. I would be willing to teach you what I know from my time at the academy."
"I'll think about it." Rey replies.
"Good." Tenel Ka then moves to stand in front of Poe. "You are a handsome one indeed, but too cocky for my taste. As well as too short for a proper consort."
She turns away so abruptly after her statement that Poe barely has time to be affronted by her words.
Tenel Ka begins to walk away with her four armored escorts following quickly behind her. She suddenly stops and looks over her shoulders.
"Come, you will need to refresh before meeting the Queen Mother." Tenel Ka calls out to them
"Best do as the princess bids." Dash says with a cheeky grin before jogging to catch up with Tenel Ka and her guards.
Poe turns to look at Rey and can see that she is unsure of how to proceed. Carefully he leans his head towards hers.
"Just… just follow my lead, okay?" Poe whispers into her ear, trying hard to sound more confident than he actually was.
As Rey turns her head, the two lock eyes, and an unspoken agreement forms. This place was something else and they need to be prepared for anything. Rey is the one to break off eye contact, and she slowly starts to walk. Poe stays right by her side, keeping pace with her as they catch up with the others. BB-8 follows closely behind Poe and Rey, not wanting to lose track of the pair.
Tenel Ka leads them away from the platform, using the same cream-colored marble roads that Poe and Rey had seen upon their approach to the landing platform. As they walk further into the large metropolis, Tenel Ka slows so to speak with the pair.
"I should warn you," Tenel Ka softly says, trying hard not to be heard by her guards as they reach the bustling business district. "my people do not favor the Jedi or their allies."
"Why?" Poe asks in the same soft tone as Tenel Ka.
"The people of Hapes were a marauding people, even after achieving space travel. To them, the Jedi were an intergalactic police force. That idea has never changed, even now."
"What about the First Order? How do the people of Hapes see them?" Rey asks from the other side of Poe.
"They aren't much better than the Jedi, but at least our dealings with them are quite profitable. Especially given that one of the closer planets to the home world is a shipyard. More and more the First Order has been trying to negotiate a deal with our Queen Mother over purchasing our ships." Tenel Ka reveals to the pair.
"Why are you telling us this?" Poe asks.
"I don't expect you to trust me. You'd be foolish to trust someone you just met. However, my grandmother isn't the easiest person to deal with. She will look for every advantage to benefit herself instead of you. This would include trying to turn the two of you against each other." Tenel Ka says, giving Poe and Rey a quick look before her guards could notice.
"Anything else we should know?" Poe asks, not realizing that he has tightened his grip over Rey's hand on his arm.
"When she finds out that Rey is a force user, and she definitely will, she will make a move against her. You should be on your guard for when that happens. I will try to place you both in the same guest chambers. However, it is the Queen Mother's final say on where you will be residing during your visit here on Hapes. Now I must return to the front or it will be suspicious and my jailers will relay it to my grandmother."
Tenel Ka suddenly hastens her pace, moving closer to Dash, eventually getting close enough to being conversing with him.
"How are those Jedi senses? Do you know if she was telling the truth?" Poe asks Rey, leaning his head towards her.
"Some." Rey replies, turning her head to look at Poe's face. "I felt anxiety and worry from her, more so when she spoke of her grandmother. Remember what Leia told us, before we left, about the Queen Mother."
"So, we need to be extra careful and vigilant while we are here." Poe states, before looking over his shoulder to see BB-8 rolling behind them. "Good thing I always have BB-8 stash an extra blaster and vibro-blade in him on these types of missions."
Just as Poe looks back to Rey, she stumbles and begins falling forwards. Poe is quick to pull Rey into his side, and quickly places the hand, he had resting upon her hand on his arm, to take hold of her waist.
"I got you." Poe tells Rey as he holds her close till she is back on her feet.
"Thank you." Rey says softly, blushing at the feeling of her body pressing into Poe's. Her eyes look down at the ground as she feels the heat of embarrassment and something else flood her face.
Poe lets out a soft chuckle before stepping away from her. "Told you that I'd catch you."
"That you did." Rey replies, and soon a hand lifts her chin so that she is looking at Poe's face.
"And I always will." Poe gives her a soft smile, and his thumb gently brushes against the corner of Rey's mouth.
"Hey you two! Hurry up or you're going to be left behind!" Dash Rendar's voice calls out from where Tenel Ka's entourage had stopped.
Poe moves back to Rey's side, once again tucking her hand into the crook of his arm. Slowly they begin to progress through the semi-busy road and walk with the group.
From the business district, which was filled with street vendors, shoppers, and all sorts of markets, the group enters the government forum district.
"This is the heart of our people." Tenel Ka loudly announces to the three guests. "The marble columns that line the main road represent each ruler, their family, and their accomplishment during their reign. As you may have noticed, none of the columns are the same with their carvings. Each one is different, as was each ruler and their accomplishments."
As they enter a large circular square which houses several small fountains with flowing turquoise water, Tenel Ka continues describing things to her guests.
"Each of the fountains represent the noble families. Each one a descendant of Hapes first Queen Mother. Their homes are the buildings that flank the Mi'Treal Square, which is named after the first Queen Mother. Now the main castle before us is where the Queen Mother, Ta'a Chume, and her family reside. It is here where you will be shown guest chambers before meeting our Queen Mother."
Poe and Rey stay silent as they take in the large castle. Again, Poe isn't fascinated by its architecture, nor its enormous size. Rey, on the other hand, is still fascinated by the composition of building materials for such a huge structure. This would include its massive staircases which lead to a large metallic door. The outward appearance is not dissimilar to the fortress on D'Qar, but grander in scale and having more open air windows.
"I prefer the Grand Temple on Yavin IV. At least it looks natural and doesn't have the feeling of overcompensation for something." Poe remarks softly to Rey as he helps her traverse up the first of four flights of stairs.
Rey chuckles softly at Poe's honest observation of the enormous castle. She can feel his longing for his home underneath his calm, yet alert, emotions. When Poe gives her a small scowl, followed by the rush of annoyance and a hint of anger, Rey realizes that she had just brushed Poe's mind with the force.
"Sorry." Rey mumbles out as she reaches the top of the first flight of stairs.
"Just don't do it again, without permission." Poe says to her as they head for the next set of stairs.
Rey nods her head and begins walking up the stairs. However, upon reaching the third step, Rey's left ankle decides to roll. This causes Rey to fall sideways, and like before Poe manages to keep her from falling. Before Rey is able to right herself, she suddenly feels herself being lifted up off the ground.
"What are you doing?" Rey growls out at Poe as she is forced to wrap her arms around his neck.
"I'm going to carry you up these stairs. You're going to kill both of us if you keep walking up these stairs in those heels." Poe comments while shifting Rey into a more comfortable position in his arms. He finally settles on wrapping one arm around her back, while the other is tucked underneath Rey's knees.
"I'm not a child!" When Poe begins to stumble himself, thanks to her wiggling, she exclaims, "You're going to hurt yourself."
"Only if you keep wiggling." Poe snaps at Rey. "My dad carried my mum like this when she broke her ankle. Besides, you don't weigh much."
Rey's face turns a bright red at Poe's remark about her weight, but doesn't move as he starts climbing the stairs again. He takes her all the way to the top of the four flights before setting her back on her feet. With even more embarrassment, Rey begins brushing at her dress subconsciously. She is worried that with Poe carrying her the way he did may have caused a malfunction with her outfit.
"He suits you." Tenel Ka says to Rey as she approaches.
"What?" Rey looks up at Tenel Ka, cheeks still a flaming red color in embarrassment at having been carried up the stairs.
"Poe. He looks after you better than most consorts do their females." Tenel Ka comments and turns her head to watch Poe help BB-8 traverse the stairs as well. "He is an excellent specimen to produce offspring with."
It finally dawns on Rey as to what Tenel Ka is implying and she quickly tries to correct the princess.
"We aren't together, like that. He is a colleague, a friend." Rey sputters out and becomes frustrated when Tenel Ka begins to laugh at Rey's embarrassment.
'Be careful with your words, Rey. My grandmother will use them, and your pilot, against you. She has eyes and ears everywhere.' Tenel Ka's voice echoes out to Rey through the force as she laughs.
Rey, hearing Tenel Ka's warning through the force, looks towards Poe and BB-8 before returning to Tenel Ka.
"I will keep that in mind." Rey says softly to the princess just as Poe and BB-8 reach them.
Before anyone can say or do anything else, the large metallic doors hiss open. Standing on the other side is a tall, older man with long dish-water blonde hair that has many streaks of gray within it. His tunic style top is left loose, but have the deep V-cut in the chest. Hanging from his shoulders is a dark blue cloak with several gold chains cutting across his chest to keep it in place.
"Father." Tenel Ka bows her head to her father while her guards kneel before him.
"Daughter." The man says in surprise at seeing his daughter. Then his gaze falls upon Dash Rendar. "Rendar. I was not expecting to see you nor the supplies from Karrde for another month or so."
"Yes, well… Things have changed, Isolder." Dash Rendar hesitantly states to the man. "Leia Organa-Solo sends her best regards to you, and two representatives from her Resistance movement."
"It has been a long time since I've heard anything from Princess Leia, herself. But I was aware of her Resistance and their fight against the First Order." Isolder looks away from Dash Rendar and lets his eyes travel over both Poe and Rey. Then he bows his head towards them both. "You are welcome here."
Isolder then walks over to his daughter and begins whispering in her ear for a moment. He backs away from her and proceeds to leave.
"Come," Tenel Ka says with a forced smile to her guests. "the Queen Mother wishes to speak to you both, now."
"Don't we have time to freshen up and change?" Dash Rendar asks, wondering why the sudden change in protocol.
"When the Queen Mother requests your presence, you do not keep her waiting." Tenel Ka replies, trying hard to keep her outward appearance calm.
Rey senses the princess's concern for their well-being through the force. Knowing that Poe and Dash don't understand Tenel Ka's hesitation, she attempts to help the woman. She reaches out to take hold of Poe's hand, threading their fingers together. Rey gives him an imploring look when he gives her a confused look.
"Lead the way." Rey tells the Hapian Princess, giving Poe's hand a gentle squeeze.
"Very well."
Tenel Ka walks towards the main door that her father had just come out of, and can sense the others following her inside. She doesn't say a word to anyone as they make their way through the large cavern halls of the castle. They reach another set of large metal doors and Tenel Ka turns to face the trio.
"When you enter the Queen Mother's Throne Room, you are to kneel before her. Wait till she addresses you before you rise. I must warn you now, Rey, she will most likely speak to you since you are the female representative of the Resistance. Choose your words carefully, for she may twist them on you."
"I understand." Rey agrees. Then she looks over at Poe, silently praying the Queen Mother will speak with him since he's more Resistance command
"My grandmother will do as she wishes, but I implore you, Poe, not to speak unless asked a question directly." Tenel Ka warns, hoping that the man won't anger her grandmother.
"Right, let's get this show on the road." Dash huffs out in annoyance.
Tenel Ka nods to the trio before turning around to face the doors. Looking over at one of the four guards, she has to wait for them to press their palm upon an interface by the door. Then in a loud hiss, the door to the throne room opens. With her head held high, Tenel Ka leads Dash, Poe, Rey, and BB-8 down the long dark blue carpet which leads towards the dais where her grandmother is seated.
As they follow Tenel Ka, Poe and Rey are still holding hands but Poe keeps his strides slow so that Rey is walking only a few inches in front of him. This is one of the things that he remembers reading from the information that Leia had supplied them with. Males are to walk slightly slower than the females. However, Poe is quick to note that Dash Rendar is not following this rule and is walking ahead of Rey and himself.
"Dash Rendar." The Queen Mother's voice echoes throughout the overly large room.
The Queen Mother, Ta'a Chume, is seated upon her carved marble throne. Her silver and dark blue silks emphasis her station in this planets' governing body, and the crystal crown that rests upon her elaborately styled white hair makes her look even more regal. However, her blue eyes have a harsh look within them as they study the smuggler and the pair he has brought with him.
"Your majesty." Dash Rendar says with a flourishing of his hand before kneeling before the stairs of her dais.
Poe and Rey also kneel, though Poe helps Rey navigate the movement before doing so himself. He tries hard not to smile as BB-8 comes up alongside and moves his domed head downwards slightly.
"I was told by Karrde that you would be arriving sooner than normal, and with an entourage from the Resistance."
"If I may say, you are looking quite beautiful today." Dash Rendar tells the old woman with a handsome smile on his face.
"Enough of your flirtations, Rendar. Tell me, who are these Resistance fighters that have come with you?" The Queen Mother harshly demands.
"Your majesty," Dash Rendar begins to speak as he rises up from his kneeling. "it is my honor to introduce you to Rey, one of the many female fighters of the Resistance. Then there is Poe Dameron, Second in Command of the Resistance. They are here on behalf of Leia Organa-Solo to ask for help from the Hapes Consortium."
"Is that so?" Ta'a Chume asks, looking directly at Rey for an answer.
"Yes." Rey rises up, a sudden surge of courage allowing her to even look the older woman right in the eyes. "Our numbers have dwindled since the evacuation of D'Qar. The First Order has murdered many of our people and destroyed all of our ships. We ask for your assistance to help end the destruction that the First Order has caused to the galaxy."
"Interesting that you would point the blame at the First Order when your Resistance is just as guilty at causing destruction to the galaxy. Tell me, why should I align myself with you?"
Not quite knowing how to respond, Rey falters, "Because… Because it is the right thing to do."
"Ha! Such ignorance! The right thing to do. You-"
"But it is!" she interrupts before immediately throwing a hand over her mouth.
The throne room goes absolutely quiet in stunned silence at Rey's audacity to raise her voice at the Queen Mother. Even Tenel Ka has gone still, eyes wide in both shock and worry about what Ta'a Chume will do. However, the sound of laughter fills the air which is coming from the old woman sitting on the throne.
"I can see now why Leia chose you to come here." Ta'a Chume states between her chuckles. "You have a fire within you that makes you passionate about your loyalties, and aren't afraid of offending any who don't agree with you. That is an admirable trait which I can respect. However, you will have to prove to me the validity of your Resistance's claim on making the galaxy a better one."
With a wave of her hand, Ta'a Chume signals for one of her handmaidens to approach her.
"Risla, will show you to your guest chambers." The Queen Mother states, dismissing them.
The dark-haired and dark-skinned woman approaches Rey and Poe and gives them a quick curtsy.
Rey tugs on Poe's hand, which she never let go of during their encounter with the Hapian Queen Mother. He quickly rises up and gently taps on BB-8's domed head. Then the two humans and droid follow Risla out of the throne room. Dash, however, elects to stay behind to conduct further business with Ta'a Chume.
Risla leads the pair and the droid towards the South facing wing of the castle, and using an elevator to reach the fourth floor.
"Your chambers are down this way." Risla states as she walks down the hallway, stopping once she's reached the end of the wing.
"The door at the end of the hallway leads to Smuggler Rendar's chambers. This one here," Risla gestures to the metal door to her left. "is for you, Rey. As for you, Dameron, your chambers are across from Rey's. Since you are not consorts, nor engaged, it is against our customs and laws for an unattached man or woman to enter the opposite sex's chambers unless married."
"You're dismissed, Risla." Tenel Ka's voice calls out from down the hall.
Poe and Rey turn and watch as the red-haired woman walks towards them. Out of the corner of their eyes, they see Risla bow before leaving. The two seem to glare at each other as they pass one another. This display isn't lost on Poe, Rey, or BB-8.
Tenel Ka waits several moments to ensure Risla is out of earshot before speaking.
"One of my grandmother's spies." She explains. "I would suggest that while you are here that you adhere to our laws to the fullest extent. Your things are already on their way here, and will be arriving within the hour. Perhaps you both should rest in the meantime. Furthermore, tonight you will be dining with the Queen Mother. My father and I will also be in attendance as will many of our distant relations. Now if you will excuse me, I must be leaving you quickly. I am sure that Risla will have already notified my grandmother that I dismissed her."
Once again, the princess pivots on heel and leaves without waiting for any response.
"I have a feeling that's like a thing with her." Rey doesn't say anything at Poe's comment. "It's kinda rude, but hey, she's a princess…."
Rey doesn't even seem to be paying attention to him, eyes still locked on the hallway the princess left through.
Taking a look around the hallway, Poe says, "I was thinking on taking a look around in the chambers then probably crash in my room for a bit. Will you be alright? Do you want to come with? On the exploration part, not the room part… 'cos of the rules…"
He really had no explanation for his sudden awkwardness, but was immensely glad when Rey seemed to snap out of whatever was occupying her thoughts.
"I'll be fine. I'll find you if I need anything."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Definitely."
He starts to say something, but stops. The words that eventually do leave his mouth doesn't help him with breaking the awkwardness between him and Rey.
"Just don't let me find you in a tragic accident on the stairs. I'd hate to be the one to tell Leia her Jedi died in a shoe accident."
"Accident? It's straight up murder at that point," she replies with a huff. "Though I think I might have finally mastered these hellish things."
Her statement couldn't go unpunished by the shoe gods so it was inevitable that she stumbles through the doorway that leads to her chambers.
Poe's laughter could be heard all through the adjacent hallways at the sight.
"See you later." Poe tells her as he heads off into his assigned chambers. What he isn't able to see is Rey's smile fade as his chamber's door closes behind him.
Upon entering the assigned chambers, Poe is shocked at finding himself in a decent sized sitting room. There are multiple fainting couches with silk fabrics in a red color. There's also several wooden chairs as well. All of these furnishings surround a fire pit made of marble which sits in the middle of the room. Looking past these things, Poe notices that the sitting room has a promenade deck to the outside. To his left there is another metal door, which Poe heads towards.
The metal door opens are reveals a nice sized bedroom that has a very large circular bed in the center of the room. Hanging above the bed are many sheer fabrics in the same red color as the bed and furniture in the sitting room. Against the left wall is an armoire closet that takes up the entire length of the room. On the opposite side of the room there is a stone archway that leads to the refresher.
"Too flashy." Poe mumbles to himself as he makes his way towards the refresher to answer nature's call.
Once he is done, Poe heads back out into the bedroom. Brushing the curtains out of his way, he proceeds to belly flop onto the bed. To his surprise, the mattress is the perfect combination of firm and soft. Leaving his feet to dangle off the mattress, Poe decides to try and get some sleep. Within minutes sleep arrives and takes him away, but little does he know that his dreams will turn into a warning.
Reviews are welcomed, cherished, and loved.
Selene